Loved loved loved, didn't really feel YA - will definitely be reading the next one and loved the little spoiler

I enjoyed this story about Annie and Lee who were survivors of a massacre ten years ago. Loved the dragons but the challenge and practice scenese are a bit repetitive (hence the loss of a star). Excellent pacing, plot and descriptions for a YA novel. I am way older than the target audience but I thought it was a very good story. I understand it has been published in America already and has been very well received. I hope it does well in the UK too. I would love to know where the author found the place name Isca as I live in the city that was Isca after the Romans arrived in the 1st century AD.

Quite a complex read. Lots to unpack in a world evolving after a revolution and wars still waiting to break out. There are relationships to explore and dragons to learn about.
Beautifully described and the relationships are well done.

Just as good as the first time I read and so happy to see this finally being published in the UK. It's so overdue and will definitely fix the dragon shaped hole we are all suffering at the moment.

I think this book has the potential to become one of my favourites. The world building is excellent, and who doesn't love dragons? I found the political side of it fascinating and would love to have explored that more, but as it was I couldn't put Fireborne down and will be picking up the sequel immediately.

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Unfortunately this was a DNF for me.

I really struggled to get into the book but this is just a personal writing style preference. I really love the concept of the book and I would recommend fantasy fans give it a go!

Fireborne is a really cool mix of politics, dragons, and complicated friendships. It’s set in a world recovering from a revolution, and you follow two main characters—Annie and Lee—who are both dragonriders with very different pasts. Their relationship is messy in the best way, and the tension between them keeps things interesting.

The story dives into some heavier stuff like loyalty, power, and what happens after a big political change, but it never feels boring. The action scenes are awesome, especially anything with dragons (obviously), and the emotional moments hit pretty hard too.

If you're into fantasy that feels a little deeper but still totally readable, Fireborne is a great pick.

• I was excited to get this because there was a tìme on BookTube where this series was making the rounds and everyone was singing its praises, the hype got me.
• Sadly, it didn't live up to the hype. If it wasn't for the fact that this was an arc I would have quit 20% in. The characters are flat, the pacing is glacial and the purported politics that I was sold on where adequate.
• We all love the trope of a competition centered book but in order to pull that off and draw my interest the characters need to be compelling. I cannot invest in the outcome of a tournament if I don't think any of the people involved matter. Not a single one of these characters had me. They were boring, basic and bland including the main duo. No one here could carry this story in any meaningful way.
• By far the worst element introduced here was the romance. I didn't get a whiff of chemistry let alone the romantic tension that was constantly referenced. It felt like a bad childhood crush without any substance. I didn't get tension, angst or longing so where exactly did we pull all of that from?
• The one ingredient needed to bring life to this story was heart, there was none here.  where was the emotional impact? 
• And the the final battle happened in 2 seconds. The thing we were leading up to. The big confrontation. After all that talking that is what I got? It was very unserious.

A compelling and emotionally rich fantasy that blends political intrigue, deep friendships, and dragons with precision and heart. Slow-burning but rewarding, it’s a powerful start to a promising series! i cant wait for book 2!

Good, clear world-building with an excellent political plot. An interesting cast of characters which doesn't rely on the seemingly obligatory love story but shows deep, solid friendship and support for each other. My only complaint is there's not enough about the dragons but I have high hopes for the rest of the series. It's fairly slow-moving but emotionally strong and has enough twists and turns to make it completely absorbing.

This was such an interesting read, I absolutely loved how from the prologue it captures your attention and leaves you wanting to know how the story will progress. The writing was so easy to understand and I found myself unable to put it down once i started, such an engaging world and plot. Will definitely be looking forward to reading the rest of the series, highly recommend!

Fireborne by Rosaria Munda is a gripping fantasy with dragons, dragon riders, and political intrigue. The characters are well-developed, and the trials they face are intense and engaging. The flashbacks are well-done, providing crucial backstory without being overwhelming. The bond between the riders and their dragons is a standout, adding emotional depth to the story.

However, I did wish the world-building had been more detailed. While the political plot and dragon-riding elements are central, I felt the broader world could have been fleshed out more. Overall, it’s a fantastic read for fans of action, character-driven stories, and political drama, though there’s room for deeper exploration of the world. Looking forward to the next book!

This was a really good read.

The best part was definitely the characters. I really felt invested in knowing what was going to happen to Annie and Lee. They were both so entwined in each other's lives from before they even met. They had so much pain that they had to overcome together. It was brutal and heartbreaking but a friendship was forged that was fierce and unrelenting.

The political machinations in this were interesting. Even Power became an interesting character and not just a token bad guy, which was really well done.

I loved the preview chapter for the next book at the end, as well, giving a different perspective of life in New Pythos.

I can't wait to read more.

4.5 stars

I have previously read this title but just HAD to reread it and review it now it’s being published in the UK!

peasant and a high lord thrown together in a new regime where they must face their pasts and decide their futures.
Two people from very different economic backgrounds, but the same suffering, are thrown together throughout their childhoods and now fight for the top spot as Dragon riders. *Chaos* ensues.

There are so many different tropes that come from this book, and the obvious lure of dragons is why I was originally drawn to this book (especially with so many other well known titles herding in a definite Dragon era).
But you also become so attached to the characters and their own demons, the battles they have with themselves and eachother. This was one of my 5 star reads back when I read it originally, and I can say nothing will have changed in that time.

A superb fantasy action adventure, set in a magical world, that will have you on the edge of the seat right from page one. A must read that is highly recommended.

Annie and Lee grew up in the aftermath of a revolution, although with completely different experiences, they both ended up in an orphanage. As the new regime takes hold, they find that their future is being shaped differently, and they are both in competition to become the leader of the dragon riders. With war suddenly on the horizon, they will be tested personally, professionally, and their friendship will be pushed to the brink. An amazing fantasy that is busting with thrilling battles and political machinations. It races along with a captivating story that will satisfy everyone looking for a dragon fantasy. Without question this is a five-star read. I’m very excited for the rest of the trilogy.

I really enjoyed this book, there’s lots to love from revolution, dragons and suspense.

The story begins with a brutal revolution where the majority of the leading families are killed to make way for the new. Lee watches as his family are killed and he is spared. He lives on and hides his identity to survive. He trains to be a dragon rider but his past comes back to bite him.

Will he live? Will his identity be revealed. I was stressed reading this, I can’t even tell you. I loved getting to know the characters and as events unfold I was worried about what would happen to them. Also can’t help but love the dragons.

I would recommend this for lovers of fantasy, drama and action.

Annie and Lee are great together! 😍

The world building is fantastic! Also the social dynamics of all the characters and the writing was brilliant and really sucked me in.

I was fully invested in the future of these characters in the new world that was created from the ashes of Lee's life 😭. Listening to their past and then what they are going through in the present is heart-breaking. It really shows the reality of what happens after a revolution and it is tragic but a fascinating and gripping read.

Lee's and Annie's backstories clash and watching them reconcile with this and choose each other was just *chefs kiss* I loved reading every minute of it and I want more.

I cannot wait to read the next book in the series.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an eARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I've already read this book, but I loved it so much before I couldn't resist a reread!
One of my favourite series, and I'm so happy its officially being published in the UK.
Warning, will make you desperate for a dragon of your own!

A peasant and a high lord thrown together in a new regime where they must face their pasts and decide their futures.

“𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙬𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝 𝙪𝙨 𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙡, 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙨𝙚𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙤𝙛 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙨, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙬𝙚'𝙫𝙚 𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙞𝙣. 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙙𝙤𝙣'𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙯𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙨 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙖𝙨 𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙖𝙨 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙩.”

Annie's lowborn family was executed by dragonfire, while Lee's noble family was murdered by revolutionaries. Raised together as orphans forged their friendship, and seven years of training have made them rivals for the top position in the dragonriding fleet.
Everything is thrown awry when survivors from the old regime surface, bent on reclaiming the city.

𝙊𝙪𝙧 𝙘𝙡𝙖𝙞𝙢 𝙤𝙣 𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙝 𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙢𝙚 𝙖𝙨 𝙞𝙩'𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙨 𝙬𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙡𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙩𝙤𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨 𝙬𝙚'𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙬𝙖𝙡𝙠 𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙙. 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙤𝙙𝙖𝙮, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙞𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙗𝙚𝙜𝙖𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙢𝙖𝙙𝙚 𝙪𝙨 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙚𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝.

Read this for:
The focus on characterisation and inner struggles with each other’s identities.
Politics.
Enemies to friends to enemies to …. ??
DRAGONS.

I recommend for fans of Termeraire!